ID-52: What's Wrong with My Taxus?

Rick Durham, Cheryl Kaiser, Lee Townsend, Nicole Ward Gauthier | Jun. 5, 2013 (Major Revision)

Taxus (yew) is an evergreen shrub commonly found in Kentucky landscapes. Numerous conditions can cause these shrubs to exhibit yellowing and browning symptoms. While diseases and insect pests can result in damage, Taxus troubles are often the result of adverse growing conditions. Pinpointing the specific cause requires a thorough examination of the affected shrub, an investigation of the surrounding area, and knowledge of possible stress factors.

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CCD-CP-38: Popcorn and Blue Corn

Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | Jun. 4, 2013 (Minor Revision)

Popcorn and blue corn (Zea mays) are harvested for their grain and sold for human consumption. Popcorn is a special type of flint corn, while blue corn is a general term for corn varieties that produce ears with blue or mixtures of blue and white kernels.

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PPFS-OR-W-17: Leaf Scorch and Winter Drying of Woody Plants

Rick Durham, Cheryl Kaiser, Nicole Ward Gauthier | Jun. 1, 2013 (New)

Leaf scorch symptoms can develop whenever water needed for growth and health of plant foliage is insufficient. While symptoms are often due to unfavorable environmental conditions, leaf scorch can also result from an infectious disease. Symptoms, possible causes, and management of leaf scorch are discussed below.

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CCD-CP-39: Red and White Clover

Kenny Burdine, Cheryl Kaiser | May. 28, 2013 (Minor Revision)

Red and white (ladino) clovers are high quality forage legumes with excellent feed value and animal palatability. Red clover (Trifolium pretense), a tall-growing and short-lived perennial, is used for hay, pasture, silage, green chop, soil improvement, and wildlife habitats. While white clover (Trifolium repens), a low-growing perennial, is best suited for grazing, it can also be used for soil improvement and reclaiming disturbed land.

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CCD-CP-46: Switchgrass for Bioenergy

Greg Halich, Cheryl Kaiser | May. 1, 2013 (Minor Revision)

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a tall-growing, warm-season, perennial bunchgrass native to portions of Kentucky. Once a major component of the Midwestern prairies, switchgrass stands have dwindled as natural grasslands have given way to expanding farms and developments.

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CCD-CP-44: Sweet Sorghum for Biofuel

Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | Apr. 18, 2013 (New)

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is primarily grown in Kentucky for its syrup. However, this crop may someday have another use in the Commonwealth—as a bioenergy crop. From 2007 to 2009, University of Kentucky researchers examined the feasibility of ethanol production from sweet sorghum. They concluded that "overall sweet sorghum would appear to be a very feasible crop for ethanol production in Kentucky." Additional states, along with several other countries, have also been actively conducting research on sweet sorghum for biofuel and with promising results.

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CCD-CP-23: Broomcorn

Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | Apr. 18, 2013 (Minor Revision)

Broomcorn (Sorghum vulgare) is not actually corn, but is instead related to the sorghums used for grain and syrup (Sorghum bicolor). Broomcorn has a coarse, fibrous seed head that has been used to make various types of brooms and brushes for several hundred years. While there are still artisans creating these natural brooms today, this crop is now more commonly used to make decorative items, such as wreaths, swags, floral arrangements, baskets, and autumn displays. It takes about 60 sprays (heads) to make a broom, but wreaths and dried arrangements require only a few plants. Broomcorn is available in natural colors, as well as purple and various fall colors.

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CCD-SP-4: Selected Resources and References for Commercial Greenhouse Operators

Cheryl Kaiser | Apr. 18, 2013 (Minor Revision)

Books can be obtained from the publisher (known links are provided), by ordering through a local bookstore, or by ordering through an industry trade magazine (books are generally advertised in each issue). Book sources can also be located by searching the Internet using the title as the keyword.

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CCD-CP-21: Alfalfa

Kenny Burdine, Cheryl Kaiser | Apr. 2, 2013 (Minor Revision)

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) has the highest yield potential and highest feeding values of all adapted perennial forage legumes. It is a versatile crop that may be used for pasture, hay, silage, green-chop, pellets, cubes, soil improvement, and soil conservation.

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CCD-CP-45: Sweet Sorghum for Syrup

Matthew Ernst, Cheryl Kaiser | Apr. 2, 2013 (Minor Revision)

Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is primarily grown for the sweet juice that is extracted from the plant's stalks. Stalks are crushed and the extracted juice is cooked down to a thick, sticky syrup. The syrup is sometimes incorrectly referred to as sorghum molasses.